RICE VS. FLA. INTERNATIONAL
Records: Rice 1-2, Florida International 1-1. Series history: Rice leads 1-0 Key players: Rice — QB Sam Glaesmann, RB Samuel Stewart, LB Emmanuel Ellerbee; FIU — QB Alex McGough, RB Alex Gardner, LB Treyvon Williams
Who has the edge
Offense — Florida International. The Panthers put up 17 points against Alcorn State and 17 against Central Florida. That’s not exactly prolific, but it’s better than the Owls’ meager production against Stanford (seven points) and Houston (three points). The Owls put up 31 in a win over UTEP, which bodes well for them in this matchup, but the Panthers are averaging more yards per game (400) and play (6.2). Defense — Florida International. The Panthers weren’t able to slow down the Knights, who rolled up 587 total yards in their opener, but they did force two turnovers, and they were solid in a 17-10 win over Alcorn State, which managed only 269 yards (78 on 25 rushes). They’re allowing only 3.2 yards per rush on the season. Williams is the leading tackler with 15. Rice’s Ellerbee came up big in a losing effort against Houston, supplying a game-high 15 tackles. Special teams — Even. RB Nahshon Ellerbe is a capable return man, supplying eight kick returns for 136 yards and two punt returns for 30 yards. The Owls are holding opponents to 5.6 yards per punt return while P Jack Fox is averaging 45.7 yards per punt. K Will Harrison (2-of-3 FGs) split a pair of field-goal attempts last week, missing a 43-yarder and converting 31-yarder. FIU K Jose Borregales also is 2-of-3 on FGs.
Notable: Rice won the only previous meeting 31-17 in 2014 in Miami, in a Conference USA matchup. The win was part of a six-game winning streak for the Owls, who prevailed behind QB Driphus Jackson (230 yards, two TDs passing). … Glaesmann left last week’s game against Houston after taking a hit from Ed Oliver . ...
Rice’s Austin Walter is averaging 7.3 yards on his 15 carries this season.
About Rice: The Owls (1-2) finally have a home game after opening with three consecutive road contests, including that long trip to Australia. Turnovers were their undoing in a 38-3 loss to Houston, which scored 17 points off the miscues. Worse still, the Owls have only one takeaway in three games. That one, recovered by DT Zach Abercrumbia, came against UTEP – and Glaesmann fumbled the ball back to the Miners on the ensuing possession. About Florida International: The Panthers (1-1) went 4-8 last season, finishing 4-4 in C-USA play, with wins over Florida Atlantic, UTEP, Charlotte and Marshall. They’re sitting at .500 through two games this season after cancelling last week’s scheduled meeting with Indiana because of the ongoing impact from Hurricane Irma. McCough led them past Alcorn State, throwing for 328 yards and rushing for the winning TD with 1:12 left in the game.